Menopause linked to brain changes raising dementia risk, study finds.

Menopause is associated with decreased grey matter in brain regions essential for memory and cognition, which are also impacted by Alzheimer's disease, according to a large UK study involving nearly 125,000 women. Although the study does not establish causation, these alterations may help explain why women are more likely than men to develop dementia. Hormone replacement therapy was linked to a slower decline in reaction time, but it did not stop grey matter loss. Anxiety, depression, and sleep problems were more common among postmenopausal women. Although there is still a lack of long-term data on dementia risk, experts emphasize the significance of mental health awareness and healthy lifestyle choices to support long-term brain health.